The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-20
A CRANK's LUCK.

appear comfortable and prosperous
The house in which Marion lodged was
an old and dilapidated building, but the
fower-pots in the windows and various
other little things, gave the place an air OF
neatness and responsibility.
Pierre Marion had been up all night.
His wife was sick and hungry, and the
worthy little man was in the same fix.
daylight is welcome" said Pierre,
"but it won't I'LL my stomach, and 1t will
only give my wife's appetite q kccner
edge"
"Pierrcl"
IL was very weak voice and Pierre
brushed away n tear as he fastened to the
pale-faced woman in q threadbare black
dress who had just emerged from the little
bedroom.
"Pierge, Lam afraid this is the end of it
all"
"Not a bit Of il, Julie" replied Pierre
with apparent chcenulness. Just sec
what fine day We are going 10 have!"
"That IN something" admitted Julie,
aud then her face contracted with a spasm
anon Dicui But you are ill2" said the
anxious husband.
81 am very weak, Pierre" and the suf-
fering woman sank into a chair.
Marion looked out of the window and
rcprcsscd n sob. Then he turned and
faced his wife.
"Well," he said pleasantly, 81 must see
what can bc done about q breakfast"
Julie made AN eiiOr; to smile, but II was
afailurc.
"Poor mani" she murmured. 81 wish,
dear, that you could get something for
yourself"
"Thcidear shouted Marion, indignant
ly. 81 am doing well enough; but you
you must have something"
He put on his hat and buttoncd his coat
"Whcrc are you going2" his wife asked.
"rll try Bclot, and Francis, aud the
paWnbrokcr."
eyes, dear you tried them yesterday
and the day before, and you were not able
TO do anything"
"The dcyili" cried Marion with n grst-
urc Of despair "YOu are right, but still
believe in my luck. Something will turn
up today
"Picrrc"-the voice was growing weaker
-''if when YOU return YOU lind me dead,
do not gIicyC too much; II will bo Tor the
best"
l"Nonsnsel" answered tho wrc,chcd
man. at will come ont all right. Have
patience for an hour. My luck IS going to
change
Marion did not wait for n reply. IL
could not trust himfalf to look at the half
fninting woman in the chair. Pulling hi,
hat over lis eyes be- rushed out OF the
room aud down the stairway, with a vague
determination 10 10 something, In iacl
anything that would bring money Gnl
food.
when hc reached the sidewalk h,
PAUSED moment 30 reflect.
"Thc ltllG woman IL right, y hc said
ave have not had three meals in a Who'll,
week. We have pawncd everything thai
eau b. pRwncl. ! can't got work. NJ,
friends arc about as poor M ! am, and W,
arr mt the end Of our row."
lie walked down the street with hr
mind bu-ily NJ work.
at H. an my iani.," he murmHr !. Z"
brought my wife here among STRANGERS
and devoted al my time 30 my invention
No wonder pcJplc called me n crank. Her
we Rrr today without friends, wiihon
money aud on the ycnsr Of starvation
And my wonderful invention did II all!'
Marion gruancd cloud, and his face as
sumed q gloomy look.
"still. / have hal lnck in nv day." HI
continued; "pcrhaps Il viii return.
oucht tn have little tut Tor the AXE q
the little woman Poor Julie. She ha
never called me q crank. She hts ncye
ridirulcd my invention. She has simpl
waited, and suffered and starved"
Early ~ Il was the pawn shop was open
and Marion cntcrod with the Intention ,
making o lart appeal.
"Kccp the things" he ail to the broke
after n long talk; "thoy an, yours II "a
will lot rue have few francs more
al have told you that Il IL impossible
uid The broker shortly, land YOU mu
not come here again. But, wall a inil
ute"
The I-nkcr dar,cd into back room mn
returned with q quc,r hooking gun.
'IIcrc h your famous Invention i
anid Will a Fnrcr; 81 WIS fool 10 lend 90
any money on %, but ~ you said u VI,
worth fortune 10 you will give Il hlcl
Possibly somo idio, will give you a brcaI
fast for
Marion's lip quiycrcd. This was the NJ
kipdc., stroke ri fate. lie took the 81
and stacy rel ont into the street
Almost bciorc be- knew ID hc had reach.
The bank ui the Seine. II vAHul lonely Hpc
and no ono wa8 IN sight.
81 cannot go back 10 JULIE he al
nnnd see her die before my eyes. %
plunge under The water will end my mI
cry, and ihc little woman will soon folio
mo-"
lie looked nj his gun and irownod.
"rll take Il with me, he muiivrcl. q
u the cause of all our trouble, but u Nh.
not be lcii behind 10 benefit some lucki
man"
"what have you there, my good man
There wns y commanding ring IN u
voice, and Marion looked up IN ANA,
meni. lie saw before him a short. sio
man in long gruy oycrcuai, lhg collar
which concealed tie sides II his face.
The strangers question touched The
vcntor's PRIDE.
"Itis new gum" Marion answcrr
"an invention Of my own II isa brce
loading affair, and II our military men u
any sense they would rcyoluionizc the
OF warfare with H."
"My friend, know all about guns. !
me scc your invention"
gomoihing In the tone inspired COT
dcnce, aud Marion unhcsiintingly co
piled with the request.
~ see-l sec" unmarked tho IMAM